General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   Changi Naval Base

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The maritime exercise of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) started on 2nd May to 4th May 2023, at "Changi Naval Base" of Singapore.

There are a total of 10 member states included in the ASEAN group while Australia was the first one to have been included in the membership.

This nautical event aims at enhancing intergovernmental collaborations and teamwork among various military groups...

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

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A new low-cost star sensor, developed by astronomers from Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) from off-the-shelf components and was recently put into space by Isro’s PSLV C-55 on 22 April 2023, has started functioning properly in its first test-launch.

Named ‘StarBerrySense’, the main function of the payload is to quickly and accurately calculate where a satellite is pointing in space as for any space mission, it is crucial to know the exact positioning of the satellite. The start sensor is capable of finding its pointing direction in space by identifying the stars in its field of view.

The astronomers from the Space Payloads Group at the IIA have announced that not only has StarBerrySense withstood the harsh conditions in space and is functioning as expected, the initial data shows that it is able to calculate the pointing direction.The StarBerrySense payload is being tested in space for the very first time...

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   DRDO and Indian Navy

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Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy conducted the successful maiden test trial of ‘ADC-150’ from IL 38SD aircraft off the coast of Goa on April 27, 2023.

* ‘ADC-150’ is an indigenously designed and developed Air Droppable Container with 150 kg payload capacity.

* The trial was conducted to enhance the naval operational logistics capabilities by providing quick response to meet the requirement of critical engineering stores to ships (under distress), which are deployed more than 2,000 kms from the coast. It reduces the requirement of ships to come close to the coast to collect spares and stores.


* Three DRDO laboratories - Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam; Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru - have been involved in the development of ADC-150 container. The crucial flight clearance certification was given by Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA), Kanpur headed by Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), Bengaluru.

* Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO has congratulated the scientists and the Indian Navy for the successful trial of ADC-150.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Ganemat Sekhon

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The Indian shooters, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Ganemat Sekhon won India's first gold medal in the ongoing ISSF World Cup Shotgun 2023, held in Cairo, Egypt.

The Indian mixed doubles pair defeated Luis Raul Gallardo Oliveros and Gabriela Rodriguez 6-0 in the final of the Skeet Mixed Team.

While the duo of Simona Scocchetti and Gabrielle Rossetti from Italy secured their bronze medal in the tournament..

Source : Khelnow

Correct Answer :   Satwiksairaj and Chirag Shetty

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The Indian pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy clinched the men’s doubles title at the Badminton Asia Championship 2023 held in Dubai, UAE from 25 to 30 April 2023.

* They defeated eighth-seeded Malaysian pair Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin in the final.

* They become the first Indian men's doubles pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships title.

* With this win, they also clinched India's second-ever Badminton Asia Championships title after Dinesh Khanna in 1965..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Ding Liren

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World Chess Championship 2023 : Ding Liren emerged as the 17th world champion after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi. Ding's ascension to the throne means the Magnus Carlsen reign is over.

Ding Liren has become 17th world chess champion – the first from China – defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in a tie-breaker. Ding defeated Nepo in the last of the four Rapid tiebreaks.

It was a fitting end to a contest which saw many ups and downs, with Ding snatching a victory from the jaws of a draw. A stunning race against the clock. Scroll down to to see how the exciting matches happened today.

Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay has been analysing games of the World Chess Championship for The Indian Express...

Source : Indianexpress

Correct Answer :   5

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* For the first time, the Indian Army has appointed five women officers to its artillery regiment. After successfully completing their training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai on Saturday (29th April 2023), the women officers joined the Regiment of Artillery.

* According to reports, the military sources said that the women officers who joined the Regiment of Artillery are Lt Mehak Saini, Lt Sakshi Dubey, Lt Aditi Yadav, Lt Pious Mudgil, and Lt Akanksha.

* Out of the five women officers, three are posted to units deployed along the borders with China and the other two in "challenging locations" near the frontier with Pakistan, reportedly..

Source : Outlook India

Correct Answer :   Sergio Perez

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Red Bull’s Sergio Perez put together the perfect performance in Baku to claim the race victory at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

* After winning 29th April 2023 Sprint race around the Baku City Circuit, the Mexican driver started well to jump past Charles Leclerc before benefitting from an early safety car which saw him jump teammate Max Verstappen in the process.

* Despite then being put under serious pressure for a few laps by his teammate, Perez pulled away to claim a second race win of the weekend and his second Grand Prix victory in Baku.

* Verstappen came home in P2 with a gap of 17 seconds to Leclerc who finished on the podium for the first time this season. That top three finish will take the pressure off of Ferrari shoulders for now after a poor start to the season.

* Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll, George Russell, Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten in Azerbaijan and all took home valuable World Drivers’ Championship points.

Correct Answer :   Reliance General Insurance

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Reliance General Insurance has made history by becoming the first general insurance company to accept the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) e-Rupee (e₹) for premium payments.

The insurer has partnered with YES Bank to facilitate the collection of premiums in digital mode using the bank’s e-rupee platform.

Easy, safe, instant, and green payments : Customers who have an active e-rupee wallet with any bank can scan Reliance General Insurance’s CBDC QR code to make easy, safe, instant, and green payments. This move has eliminated the need to handle physical cash, which can be risky during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Digital token equivalent to a banknote : e-rupee is a digital token that is equivalent to a banknote, and it is legal tender or sovereign currency backed by the RBI. It removes all the issues of handling physical cash and offers the same anonymity as a banknote. Moreover, since all transactions are done through an RBI-regulated entity, it reduces banknote-related risks such as anti-money laundering and the counterfeiting of currency.

Complement existing digital payment systems : “YES Bank is pleased to partner with Reliance General Insurance in promoting CBDC, an industry first in the insurance sector. With higher familiarisation and wider adoption, we expect CBDC transactions to complement existing digital payment systems considering features such as authenticity, interoperability, and settlement finality,” said Arun Agrawal, Country Head-Institutional & Government Banking, YES Bank.

Physical e-rupee QR code available at select branches : Currently, Reliance General Insurance’s physical e-rupee QR code is available at select branches for walk-in customers to scan and pay instantly. It plans to make it available at all branches across the country, on its website, and on the Reliance Self-i app in the next few months. This move is expected to make the payment process more convenient for customers who prefer to make digital payments..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Neeli Bendapudi

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Neeli Bendapudi, the Indian American president of Penn State University, will receive prestigious Immigrant Achievement Award 2023 for her contributions to higher education in the US.

The award is presented each year to an individual or organisation that exhibits a commitment and dedication to America’s heritage as a nation of immigrants and advocacy for humane immigration policy.

The award would be presented to 59-year-old Bendapudi at the DC Immigrant Achievement Awards reception on 28th April 2023, according to a statement.

“For nearly 30 years, Penn State President Dr Bendapudi’s career in higher education has been committed to student success, fostering inclusive excellence, and creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to thrive,” said Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Immigration Council.

Terming her a “values-driven” leader, Robbins said Bendapudi believes strongly in the transformative power of higher education and its impact on individuals and communities...

Source : Indian Express